Mike's Oud Forums

Cumbus similar to oud?

Agustin - 9-14-2004 at 11:30 AM

hi there this is my first post here.first of all i want to say what a great site this is.
i have a cumbus and i was wondering if i could study the oud stuff on it and if that is the case which tuning should i use.
i read somewhere that its the same only the cumbus is higher pitched.
for example ,can i use any oud method for studying the cumbus?
well , thank you very much from argentina

:xtreme:

kevin - 9-15-2004 at 08:23 AM

hi, I owned a çumbus for many many years, after listening to blind musican play one in istanbul. It is tuned higher, I forget exactly how much, maybe a fourth. i did use oud methods, but if you plan to play with other musicians you will need to transpose it.

I did bring my çumbus to the band I play with that specializes in classical turkish music, and it didn't really fit in, it was too metalic sounding. It is really a folk instrument. Nonetheless you play some pretty cool stuff on it.

But since I now have an oud i won't turn back!

If your handy with a bow try the yayli tambur, or the bowed version of a cumbus, that is a very cool instrument.
kevin

cumbus tuning

Monty88 - 9-15-2004 at 03:01 PM

hey

two common tunings i've heard for cumbus:

low to hi

G A D G C F

A B E A D G

the second tuning is as high as you could probably go. This is closer to the turkish oud tuning. The first is like an arabic one. I use both for different pieces.

The yayli tambur is a great sounding instrument. Very hoarse when played with a bow.

Regards,
Paddy